Sunday, December 26, 2010

Inspirational Swag Tutorial

I'm so excited﻿...my wonderful boys got me a Cricut Expression for Christmas! I have been playing with it and trying out all of it's amazing features. I had been wanting one to make stencils with, but am finding out it does so much more.

I took the doors off the closet in the studio and added a shelf just for the Cricut. My first project was the "dream" swag below.

It was super easy to make and I can't wait to do some more using different inspirational words. These would be so cute in a little girls room, nursery, or hung from the mantel at Christmas.

I have included a tutorial below if you would like to make one for yourself. This is my first tutorial, so if anything is unclear, please let me know so I can help.

You will need:

8.5 x 11 cardstock for the pendants (each sheet makes two)

12x12 decorative paper for rosettes (each sheet makes two)

12x12 contrasting decorative paper for centers

cardboard or other cutout letters ( I cut mine from cardstock with the Cricut)

glue

small clothespins

glitter or other embelishments

hole punch

ribbon or twine

You will need to adjust the quantities of paper etc. depending on how many letters are in your word.

Start with how ever many sheets of 8.5 x 11 cardstock you will need for your pendant backs (one sheet makes two) Cut in half so you have two 5.5 x 8.5 pieces as shown, mark the bottom center point of each half. Measure down 3" from top on each side of each half and draw a line to your mark at bottom and cut.

Cut 12 x 12 sheets in half and fold short ends accordian style as shown. Make one for each pendant or letter

Staple once in the middle to secure

Glue along the two long, outer edges of each folded paper

( I used way too much glue here)

Form into circles and clothespin together until dry

Apply glue to back of letters and glitter or embellish to your liking

Cut circles out of contrasting decorative paper with pinking shears or other scissors with a pretty cutting edge. Glue letters on to circles.

Spray glitter front of pendant backs and punch a hole near top corners

Put a nickle sized blob of clear caulking or thick glue on the back of your rosettes and attach to pendants

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About Me

I am a very blessed wife and mom, living with my husband and our beautiful eleven year old son in a small town in Colorado. My son is truly a wise old soul and the love of my life. He teaches me something new every day and reminds me to look at the world through the eyes of a child. We are also blessed with three amazing children who are all grown up and live in Texas and California. I am the shop owner of "The Village Merchants", which is a sixteen shop marketplace with a mix of clothing, jewelry, antiques, and home decor. I am also a real estate broker and am always on the lookout for a property that "just needs a little love." I have an uncontrolable passion for interior design and love everything old, rusted, and especially anything adorned with chippy paint. I love junking and finding ways to give old treasures a new life.